Do you have a book ready to get published but find the publishing world a confusing place? Are you worried you’ll miss something during the publishing process? The publishing industry can be confusing, especially for first time authors. Which is why at Talk+Tell our goal is to be your publishing resource and provide you with all the information you need to successfully publish and market your books.

If you are new to the publishing work then you NEED to read this article. In this article we asked 25 authors to share one piece of advice they wished someone would’ve told them before starting their writing/publishing journey. These authors will help ease your mind and hopefully provide comfort to your worries.

25 Authors Answer: “What’s a piece of advice you wish someone would’ve told you before starting your writing/publishing journey?”

1. Day Leitao

“At 16, Karina has a shot at adventure—and an odd first kiss—when she’s called to Whyland, a kingdom in another dimension, to save Sian.”

I wish I had known that I could write for readers and publish independently and that it’s a viable alternative for a writing career. I mean, OK, I knew self-publishing was an alternative, but I thought it was some hall of shame or something, not that it was a valid way for someone to become a professional writer.

2. L.S. O’Dea

“If you like short, disturbing stories similar to the Twilight Zone and Tales from the Crypt, then you’ll love this series.”

It doesn’t matter how good or how magical your story is, if you can’t attract readers it won’t live. I hate to say this but the writing part is the easy part. Once you’re done, if you want someone to read your book, you have to market. I really wish someone had pointed me in the direction of the marketing courses. I wasted well over a year throwing money at every endeavor I could find and I barely sold any books. Then, I stumbled across a marketing course and it changed my writing/publishing life.

3. Lois Petren

“While baking holiday cookies, Lulu and Grand-mère amuse themselves by singing a clever rendition of the beloved Christmas carol using knitted items as the gifts.”

If your goal is to make a career of your writing and make an income from it, then write what you love, but also research your genre to determine if there’s a market for it. This can help set realistic expectations and drive the decision-making process about how to market the book. There are sites and tools that can provide important information about the ranking and relative success of each genre, which can be very helpful.

4. Michael Timmins

“Three epic tales about magical swords, treacherous races and forbidden magic.”

The moment you start writing, you need to start building. Build your audience. Post on social media. Blog. Interact on groups that focus on your genre. That way, when you are finally ready to publish, your audience is waiting.

5. C.T. Walsh

“Meet Austin Davenport, whose fabulous luck landed him on this earth only eleven short months after his brother, Derek, putting them in the same grade.”

To trust the creative process. I’m now writing the tenth book in my Middle School Mayhem series (only four are published so far) and I learned over time that it always comes together in the end. I take consistent action every day and build layer upon layer. Eventually, that turns into something special. When writing the first few books, I really stressed over whether or not they were any good. I was judging them before they were done. It took me a while to realize that every phase of the process added value from brainstorming to editing. I stopped comparing my outline or first draft to the previous book, which had been through a few drafts already, a proofreader, and an editor.

6. Deborah Lucy

“14-year-old local girl, China Lewis is reported missing by her friend Amy. Detective Inspector Temple is tasked to find her. The more he discovers about China, the greater the danger he knows she’s in.“

I wish someone had told me earlier that in writing a book, it will probably take me about ten edits/drafts before reaching the state where it can be submitted. This is now what guides me.

7. Megan O’Russell

“He’s loved her since the moment they met. Now a spell might tear them apart forever.“

Start a newsletter right away, even if you’re only going to be sending it to five people at the beginning. Really think about what your goals are before you sign a publishing contract. And don’t be afraid to ask for help.

Writing is fun. Publishing is really hard work. You are going to be frustrated. You are going to have days when you feel like you’ve never written a decent thing in your life and have no place calling yourself an author. When you feel like you can’t get anything right, ask for help. Find a query buddy and look over each other’s submissions. Test out your tag line on twitter. Find a mentor who’s been through the publishing process before. And when you have the day when you want to throw your laptop out the window, don’t do it. We’ve all been there. Don’t delete your files.

8. J.B. Cantwell

“In a world monitored by mind-manipulating implants, one young girl will risk everything for liberty.“

Learn what “writing to market” means, and then decide whether you want to do that. (Read Chris Fox’s Write to Market for a road map).

I’ve written in several genres, and it’s something that has hurt my career financially. I once tried to write to market in the romance genre (under a pen name); it failed miserably and was a waste of a year of work. I should have stayed with my Middle Grade and Young Adult genres, which are what I enjoy writing. In both Middle Grade and Young Adult, there are plenty of more targeted genres that I can aim for.

That said, some people like writing to market, so do some homework and consider your financial situation (whether you need to make money now or whether you have some time and resources to put into this). Then decide on a genre and stick with it if you want to find financial success.

One last unsolicited piece of advice…

Save up all your money for a good cover, then advertise. The idea that you can’t judge a book by its cover may be nice in theory, but it’s not true in reality. You are creating a product and the first thing people see when they see your book listing is your cover. It is of utmost importance that you put your best foot forward. If your cover looks unprofessional, or like it doesn’t belong in the genre you’re writing in, you must change it. You can expect to pay anywhere from $300-$1000+ for a rockin’ cover. You won’t regret it.

From there, learn how to write a compelling description (or “blurb”) for your book, and look carefully at your first chapter (which will be visible with the “look inside” feature on Amazon). That leads us back my response to question #2: Start with the action and make your readers wonder what will happen next.

9. Colleen Brunetti

“He was a superhero with a furry sidekick.  She was a secret mad scientist in the kitchen. But he was sick… and she was stumped.“

That it’s going to be both the hardest and most satisfying thing you’ve ever done. I had no idea how many sleepless nights I would have, or how many times I would second guess myself. I also didn’t anticipate how gratifying it would be to break through barriers in production and finally hold my finished book.

10. Sue Lachman

“Through the insightful and reflective lens of wife, mother of five, special needs advocate, coach, and public speaker Sue Lachman’s everyday events and stories reveal the simplicity of life when experienced from Mind, Thought, and Consciousness—the Three Principles that changed Lachman’s outlook on life.“

I wish someone had reminded me to be patient and what impatience really means.

There is no point in rushing anything and it is far better to get your ducks in a row before diving in blindly.

I have found that being patient with the process of writing and knowing that the right words will come at the right time has been very helpful. I don’t need to force my writing.

Being patient with the editor knowing that she or he is doing their best and that means not expecting a hard and fast time stamp on their work of when it will exactly be ready.

Patience for the cover expert knowing that he needs the space for his genius to come out and in turn, this will help me.

Patience with myself too. Being impatient is when the world looks like it is slow when in actual fact our minds, our thinking is what is rushing around so everything around us looks too slow. It isn’t really, it’s just how it looks to us.

11. Stacy King

“The Luggage Drop is a riveting, heartbreaking novel about a family’s struggle with bipolar disorder, suicide and post-traumatic stress disorder that illuminates the fragility of life and explores the world of mental illness from the inside out.“

For me, this question brings up the importance of marketing again. I wish someone would have told me about the importance of SEO. For instance, what a difference keywords and categories have made in making my books visible to my audience. As a blogger, I know how important SEO is but I didn’t put this skill set to use with book publication. What a game-changer it has been since doing so. To see SEO in action, check out my contemporary fiction novel The Luggage Drop on Amazon, available in eBook and print format. In particular, check out the categories and hone in on what categories will be the best fit for your book.

12. Andrew Anzur Clement

“Yugoslav People’s Army brats Jovana and Hristijan grew up in a secluded border-watch compound, dreaming of grander horizons.”

Know your goals, your strengths, and your weaknesses. This is about being aware of why you write and how you view writing. Do you want to publish one book, or write full time? Are you a content-generating machine? Do you suck at promotion? Do you view writing as a job, or is it – like I imagine it is for many authors of fiction – what you do for its own sake. All of this will influence the many hard decisions that you will have to make regarding publishing, marketing and writing to market, among others. Perhaps the hardest thing for me was realizing that once you launch your ‘book baby’ out into the world, no one will ever love it as much as you do. Be aware of these things from the start; forewarned is forearmed.

13. Nick Cook

“Is our reality all there is, or could there be something lurking beyond the edges of our perception? That’s exactly what Jake Stevens is wondering after he starts seeing something in the shadows and begins to question his sanity.“

That to find your voice as an author takes time. Yes, you can turn out words, maybe enough to fill a book, but are you being true to yourself with your work? In my experience that inner journey of exploration takes time. Get it right and your reader will recognize the authenticity in your writing helping it to stand out in a crowded market. Your readers are out there waiting to discover your work so make sure it’s the best it can be and something you’re truly proud of.

14. Gary Ponzo

“Margo Sutter, a proven teenage clairvoyant, claims to hear invisible aliens planning to destroy the planet.”

That’s so hard because everyone’s journey is unique and if someone would’ve suggested I’d have the success I’ve had I would’ve laughed at them. I guess if someone told me to focus on the writing, I might have been better off than trying to develop name recognition. I’d have ten Nick Bracco thrillers out instead of six. Also, I would’ve gotten my books published on audio much sooner. That’s going to be a big part of the future. Someone should’ve told me about that instead of filling my head with stories about flying cars. I’m still waiting for my jetpack.

15. Michele Pariza Wacek

“A fresh start. That’s what Becca hoped the move from New York to Redemption, Wisconsin would be for her troubled family. A way to get her crumbling marriage back on track, and to bond with her difficult 16-year-old stepdaughter.“

Be patient. Is it possible to be a successful indie author? Yes. Is it possible to make 6-figures or more a year publishing fiction? Absolutely. But it’s likely not going to happen with your first (or even your first few) books.

I know that can sound discouraging as it takes time to write a good book, so if you start multiplying the time it takes to write one book with multiple books, it can feel like it’s never going to happen.

But, it will. You just need to be willing to invest the money and the time to build a business around your fiction writing. It can happen. Just be patient.

16. Derek Shupert

“Fifteen-year-old James would much rather hang with friends than go hunting with his survivalist dad. But the boring weekend trip turns into a living horror when they’re attacked by an undead horde.”

Writing good stories is only one piece of the puzzle. You need a great book cover that will instantly inform the reader of the genre the book was written for. Also, you will need to market. Simply putting your book up for sale and not marketing it will not work. You will get buried and lost within the depths of the digital-book world.

17. Sunshine Somerville

“Esme, the Order’s current alterni, wields magic she barely understands. This is not her world. These are not her people. Whenever she closes her eyes, she relives battles with a thousand malevolenci demons. And tonight, she knows this could be the end.”

Writing is the fun part; publishing feels like work. I wish I’d better understood how much time, energy, and resources it takes to successfully publish/release/market a book. Being prepared for that part of the author’s job is important so you don’t get burned out. Have a plan. Have obtainable goals and expectations.

18. Johanna Craven

“They say only the brave ride Bridles Lane at night.”

Know who your audience is before you start writing. You may just be writing for yourself— and that’s absolutely fine— but having a clear idea of who you want to read your story makes it much easier to market and sell later on.

19. Allen Kent

“During Missouri’s Mormon Wars of the mid-1800s, the Whitlock family seeks to escape mob violence on the state’s western frontier by hiding in the rugged north Missouri wilderness where the Hill Spring Trail crosses the Chariton River.”

Don’t try to perfect as you go. I know too many aspiring writers who have stalled out because they have tried to develop a perfect product as they go. Get the story you want to tell down, then rely on re-writing and editorial help to clean up and perfect. The challenge here is that this latter process takes lots of time – as much as the initial writing. The inclination, once the story is on paper, is to want to get it out there. Re-write and re-write until you feel that every sentence is what you would like it to be.

20. Michael Layne

“The world is out of balance, and only one person can make it right again.”

At least until you’ve developed your style and a following, keep your genre, covers, blurbs, and style all aligned, not because you want to be like all the other writers in your genre(s), but because you need to always think about the reader and their expectations. What do they want? What are they looking for when they try to find a book? Do you as a reader go to the bookstore or to Amazon and think, “Man, I am dying to find a really good epic fantasy novel set in today’s world with some high-tech science fiction and some mystery elements thrown in for kicks and maybe a shark?” You might indeed love such a book, but only if someone gives you a tip on it by word of mouth, probably. The more likely scenario is that you hit the store and think, “I’m really in the mood for a great thriller.” And when you find something that might be a thriller but might not be a thriller, you may just shrug and move on to the next book that shouts, “Hey, I know what I am, and I am thrilling!” Be original. Be innovative. But also, be findable and don’t make your potential readers work too hard at understanding what the heck you write or what they can expect from reading your work.

21. Matty Dalrymple

“Ann Kinnear has created a peaceful existence at her cabin in the Adirondack woods. But the calm is shattered after Philadelphia socialite Elizabeth Firth is reported missing. With few clues and fewer options, detective Joe Booth calls upon Ann’s spirit sensing abilities to help solve the mystery.”

Recognize that, if finding readers for your books is important, you will need to spend as much time on outreach as on the writing. Three pieces of advice have helped me in my own outreach efforts.

One is to recognize that successful outreach does not mean forcing your books on unwilling customers; it means finding ways of getting your work in front of the readers who will love it. This attitude puts you on the side of the reader, not in an adversarial position.

Another is that reader outreach is far more successful if you approach it not with a sell, sell, sell mindset, but rather an opportunity for you to share your genuine self with your current and potential readers. A hard sell might perhaps sell a single book, but building a relationship with a reader will earn you a follower who will likely want everything you have to offer, and who will champion your work to other readers.

The third is that nurturing relationships with other authors is just as important as nurturing relationships with readers. Sharing a table at a book fair with another author? Consider recommending that author’s book to the browsing customer if it seems like a better fit for that reader’s taste (about which you will have inquired); you may lose one sale, but you will earn that sale back in referrals and recommendations from a grateful fellow author. Reader outreach is not a zero-sum game (and if the author with whom you are sharing the table behaves in a way that indicates that he or she thinks it is then to find yourself a different author with whom to share a table at the next book fair!).

22. D.W. Gillespie

“Jack didn’t know what to call the nameless, skeletal creature that slunk into her house in the dead of night, stealing the very things she loved the most. So she named him The Toy Thief…”

The biggest piece of advice I wish I knew is to manage my expectations. It’s a big world out there, and there are a lot of people writing books. It’s great to be proud of yourself, to celebrate your wins, but just know that it’s not easy to make it as a writer. I assumed, like many young writers, that if I did the work, I’d reap the rewards.

The truth is, success is a moving target. Every year since I wrote my first book, I’ve had to reevaluate what I consider success to be. I’m still aiming high. I’m just more realistic now than I used to be. I’ve seen lots of people struggle with this, eventually growing bitter and thinking the game is rigged. It’s not. It’s just a tough business that’s not for everyone. It’s also, in this writer’s opinion, one of the best things in the world to do.

23. Allie Burton

“For all her sixteen years, Pearl Poseidon has been a fish out of water. A freak on display for her adoptive parents’ profit. Running away from her horrible life, she craves one thing—anonymity.”

I wish someone would’ve told me that writing the book is the easy part. The editing, the querying and pitching, and the marketing are more difficult and more emotionally straining.

24. Dan Petrosini

“The pain from being abandoned never went away. After briefly coming back into her life, Joyce’s mother is now gone, for good.”

It would have been incredibly useful if someone would have told me that when writing across genres to use a pen name. I would also have appreciated if someone would have explained the reason to write a series.

25. Cheryl Carpinello

“Travel back to 1330 BC Egypt–When15-year-old Rosa agrees to help the ghost of King Tut find his lost queenHesena, she doesn’t count on falling for him.”

Believe in yourself and trust your creative brain. Writing is such a solitary endeavour. It’s easy to question your writing and yourself. If you need to, pin this message or a similar one up where you write: I am a writer. I trust in my creativity.

Conclusion

We hope that these pieces of advice have helped settle down your fears. Do you have any advice you wish people have told you before starting your writing and/or publishing journey? Let us know!

Best of luck to your journey!

Have you written and published a book and wondered if other author’s book launch experience was the same or totally different from yours? Maybe the launch didn’t go as planned and garner as much attention as hoped. Maybe the launch exceeded your expectations.

In this article, we asked nine authors “What did the first month after your book launch look like?”. The answers may surprise you and give you insight into how to plan your book’s launch. The biggest takeaway we learned is the importance of marketing and promoting your book.

“What did the first month after your book launch look like?”

1. Dan Sofer

“In Jerusalem, British bachelor Dave Schwarz wasn’t looking for mystery and adventure. He just wanted to find a wife. But when he discovers the magical key to any girl’s heart, his troubles only begin.”

I wrote my first novel, A Love and Beyond, over seven years. Although I invested in professional editing and covers, I devoted little thought to genres or book marketing.

Needless to say, the launch in 2015 was disappointing. Reviews trickled in. Readers told me they loved the book, which even won first place in a literary competition, but getting the word out was difficult. By the end of the first month, I had sold about fifty copies, two thirds as ebooks, and during the following months, sales petered out.
So began my journey into reader expectations, book categories, advertising, and email lists. Now I study the genre and marketing aspects of a novel before I start writing. My writing career still has some way to go, but it seems to be moving in the right direction.

2. Paul Antony Jones

“After a devastating car crash leaves her addicted to pills and her best friend dead, Meredith Gale has finally been pushed to her breaking point.”

I’m lucky to have a great publisher (Aethon Books) who really took away all the worry of marketing Paths Between Worlds. They set up interviews and ran their marketing plan, which just left me to worry whether the book would first resonate with readers (my primary concern with any new release), then gain enough traction and reviews to grab the attention of Amazon’s algorithm. I’m lucky to have a great reader following from my first series (Extinction Point) who really helped to give the book that initial boost, so it all worked out swimmingly, thank goodness.

3. Micah Ackerman

“STRAIGHT OUT OF THE HEADLINES!! NORTH KOREA STARTS THE NUCLEAR HOLOCAUST!!!! World War Three is here.”

The first month after my book launch was filled with excitement and promise. I saw a great number of sales and reviews on Amazon. It was at the height of ebook sales back when every reader had a Kindle. Friends and family got the ball rolling along with my mailing list and the social media network that I built up. I have a website and blogging really helped push interest. It’s so important to stay “out there” and to keep blogging and releasing fresh material. Maintain that mailing list and stay motivated. Nothing happens overnight, write for the love of it not for results. Sadly a couple of months later my personal life blew up, I went through a messy divorce and fell out of the “loop” only now am I starting to make a comeback.

4. Mike Faricy

“Anthony DiMento, more commonly known as Beau, has a problem. A $250,000 problem!”

My answer to your question may be a bit different than many writers. I’m blessed to
be writing full time. It took me almost fifteen years to get to this point. I started writing
years back on a legal pad at my dining room table. My first six or seven books were
written in the dark, either before sunrise or after the kids went to bed. I’m pretty
disciplined in my approach, and I work off a rough outline for each of my works. My
books have a one month preorder where they are available at a discounted preorder
price. My experience has been that if they go live with a decent number of preorders,
Amazon will include them in two to four emails to individuals who have expressed an
interest or purchased similar works. The emails are sent over the course of two to three
weeks following my release date. I have no idea when the Amazon emails will be sent
out, but either I receive them, or they are forwarded to me from fans.

Two days after the book release I send an email to my list of followers and post on a
number of free Facebook sites that the book is now available and it’s free if you read it
on Kindle Unlimited. I have not had much success with paid Facebook ads. Once the
manuscript was completed and sent to my editor, the following morning, I begin work on
the next book. I run paid ads on my books and boxsets, usually scheduled a month in
advance and the new release is integrated into that schedule. I occasionally look at the
numbers but don’t obsess over sales or pages read. I’ve found that for me, focusing on
writing the next book and trying to make it better than the previous one is the simplest
and best policy.

5. Danielle Girard

“When the daughter of San Francisco socialites is brutally assaulted, Jamie Vail makes it her mission to find the attacker.”

The first month after a book launch is a busy time—exciting, unnerving, a calm after all the work of writing, revising, and editing. But there is also still much to do. On the fun side, initial reviews start to come in and people post pictures with your book. YOUR. BOOK. That is such a thrill. Every author gets some bad reviews, but I feel fortunate that the positive ones way outnumber the bad. Then, there are book signings and events to promote your title. And here is where the work is—a book is like a fledgling bird: it doesn’t fly on its own. You have to promote yourself and the title. Give it away to people who might talk about it. Be interviewed and participate at conferences and on panels. Put yourself and your book in front of as many people as you can. And then—and this is most important—get back to work on the next book!

6. Irina Shapiro

“When a young woman vanishes without a trace from a quaint fishing village on the coast of England, only one person knows the truth, but he remains silent allowing the authorities to search for her in vain.”

I released the first book in ‘The Hands of Time’ Series, named The Hands of Time, in December 2011. At the time, I was a newbie indie author and didn’t know much about marketing or launching a book. In fact, most of the promotional sites I use now weren’t even around, nor were the free webinars or helpful blog posts. I was entirely on my own. Luckily for me, my first book, The Inheritance, went to 202 in the paid Amazon store since I was one of the first people to sign up for Kindle Select and utilize their free days. I got thousands of downloads, which resulted in my book shooting up in ranking and hovering near the top for nearly a month.

Thankfully, enough people liked The Inheritance to give my new offering a try. By today’s standards, my launch wasn’t very successful, but given where I was at the time and my limited resources it did pretty well. So well, in fact, that the book turned into a six-book series since readers kept asking me to continue the story. The Hands of Time was my first foray into writing a series and I have written several series since, which have done even better.

7. David A. Willson

“Fifteen-year-old Nara Dall has never liked secrets. Yet it seems that her life is filled with them, from the ugly scar on her back to the strange powers she possesses.”

Looking for Dei was my debut novel, had 100,000 words and I had never done any creative writing of that magnitude before. I had accumulated ideas for the story over the previous several years but didn’t begin writing in earnest until May of 2016. After seemingly-endless rewriting, editing, and proofreading, it finally launched on March 17th, 2018.

42 pre-order sales led the way at launch, which was bolstered by another 607 combined ebook/paperback sales in the following thirty days. The novel was not in Kindle Unlimited at the time, so these sales include distribution through Smashwords, primarily on Kobo and Barnes & Noble.

Reviews came in steadily, however. I had personally emailed over 300 book reviewers/bloggers, done a 99¢ promotion and engaged a couple of ARC programs (Netgalley, Hidden Gems). By day 31, I already had 20 reviews. That number would balloon to 70 only a month later. The reviews were excellent, to my delight, but the content of many warmed my heart. Looking for Dei was intended to be both entertaining and encouraging, and many of the reviews showed that I had achieved much of what I had hoped to do in the hearts and minds of my young adult audience. I was thrilled!

Peppered between days spent experimenting with advertising methods, I finalized ideas for the sequel. The challenge of self-publishing, the many skills that needed to be developed and the alternating frustration and elation that came with a new business venture kept my attention to the exclusion of all other hobbies and interests. It was a manic time.

In the months since then, I refocused on writing, and have now just recently launched book two to cap the series, which I called The Godseeker Duet. I’m now scratching ideas for an entirely different novel and quite enjoying the author’s journey.

8. Susan Brown

“When their mother disappears, twins Addie and Jacob Medway are carried off to the Nova Scotia town of Port St. George by their distraught father. But there’s something weird about this town, something that is changing them.”

In a word, my first launch attempts for Dragons of Wind and Waves were pathetic! I posted on Facebook and Twitter and saw excessively ho-hum sales. As a traditionally published author, now venturing into the Indie territory, I had no idea what to do.

Networking!

Another writer, Toni Kief, and I formed a marketing group, Writers Cooperative of the Pacific Northwest (www.wcpnc-coop.com). The mission of the Co-op is to stop reinventing the wheel and pool our marketing knowledge. Quite a few other writers have leaped in and as a group, we’re learning the ins and outs of online and in-person marketing. It’s not my forte, but I’ve developed a newsletter mailing list and figured out the basics of targeting and using promotional platforms. This relaunch of Dragons of Wind and Waves had much better results — close to a thousand downloads, additional sales, and some visibility.

I intended this as a soft launch, trying a bit of this and that (Fussy Librarian, raising my book in the Amazon ranking for visibility, and close attention to Kindle Unlimited page reads afterwards). My goal in this relaunch is visibility and to recoup my expenses. I have three other stand-alone books in the series and I’m already seeing small sales increases for them. I hope there will be more, as well as additional reviews (fingers crossed for positive!).

It’s a lot like doing a jigsaw puzzle for me. I stare at each piece and try to picture the whole. Meanwhile, I keep slogging. Marketing takes me away from writing, but I don’t see other options if I want people to read my books. Some of my friends have totally mastered what we’re trying out and are getting huge sales that they never saw before. That’s where I’m intending to end up — after this learning curve!

Step by step! Wish me luck!

9. M.M. Perry

“Casey has spent nearly twenty years tracking down the creatures that have been murdering their way across the upper Midwest. As summer begins to wind down, he’s running out of time to find them before winter takes hold and the things that hunt in the dark sleep out the cold.”

My book launches never really catch on. I’ve read a lot of books and guides on how best to go about launching books. I have a mailing list of nearly five thousand. I’ve taken out ads and paid for a pricey course detailing the best way to target readers. It never quite goes how I’d like. At the end of the day, I’m an author, not a promoter. I don’t have the instincts or know-how to optimally do this part of the job and I strongly suspect that’s why it never works out for me since I’ve done all the other things required of indie authors – hiring an editor, having covers done professionally, etc.

I get emails from fans who love my work and my reviews are solid. I’ve been reviewed by professional review bloggers and they enjoy my work. If it was the content, that is something I could improve. Unfortunately, as much as I’d like to be a Jack of all trades, I’m not. I simply am not talented at promoting my own work. Despite the setbacks, I continue to write because that’s what I love doing. I don’t make much at it, but I’m determined not to give up. My content is worth paying for. I just need to find the people who want to buy it.

Voro launched with around 30 sales in the first week. I put it exclusively on Amazon, even though I do as well on Barnes & Noble as Amazon in terms of sales because I’m trying something new. I ran a free promotion through Amazon for one day and gave away just over 3,600 copies with a minimal ad buy – using Robin Reads, Freebooksy, Fussy Librarian and Kindle Nation Daily. I made back the $125 the next day with KDP page reads and sales, and I’m hoping my investment lands me some more reviews and new readers. With some luck, I may be able to garner enough attention to nab a Bookbub ad. Small steps.

Conclusion

As you can see, every experience post-book launch differs from what tactics you use, your network, and how much time and more you are willing to put into the marketing of your book.

We hope that your book launches are successful and bring you the abundance you desire!

We have listed the top Non-Fiction Book Bloggers who will give you the break you need from fiction reads.

Who knows where your next spark of inspiration can derive from? Maybe a new memoir, biography, self-help, or how-to books. You may even be engulfed in the world of true crime and political stories within the non-fiction book world.

The following non-fiction book bloggers will help you find amazing books that you will fall in love with.

Top 18 Non-Fiction Book Bloggers

1. The Nonfiction Detectives

On the hunt for the perfect nonfiction book for children? This blog is here to help you with that query. You can find short summaries of picture books for all young ages. You may even find a nonfiction book that would be suitable for adults, like ‘Magic Ramen’ by Andrea Wang. ‘Magic Ramen’ is the story about how Momofuku Ando created the life-saving instant ramen noodles we all know today….we might buy this now.

2. Grace’s Review of Books

“Be it history, memoir, political diaries, or anything in between,” the non-fiction book blogger, Grace has you covered. Her non-fiction book blog features lengthy reviews and summaries, such as the one for ‘My Thoughts Exactly’ by Lily Allen, a celebrity memoir. The measure of these blog posts is perfect for reading if you’re in between books and want to make sure you’re fully invested in your next story.

3. SMS Nonfiction Book Reviews

At 466 reviews and counting on Goodreads and 15 years of being a non-fiction book blogger, Kathleen is well-versed in the nonfiction genre. Whether you’re looking for reviews of cookbooks, true crime, psychology, or writing books, you will be sure to find short summaries followed by honest reviews no matter what you’re preference is.

4. A Little Blog of Books

On Clare’s blog, you can find a range of nonfiction books covering history, politics, popular science, and memoirs. Being in the book blogging game since 2012, she is an avid reader and active book reviewer. You can expect at least two informative book reviews per week and thought-provoking book recommendations, such as ‘The Ten Types of Human’ by Dexter Dias.

5. What’s Nonfiction?

A fiction lover turned non-fiction book lover runs this book blog featuring a new book review every other day. How does she read so fast? We are going to assume magic. You can find many great recommendations through the lengthy reviews and summaries on this non-fiction book blog. From food to true crime, you’ll soon find yourself stepping into a new nonfiction topic you’ve never encountered, such as the travel tale of ‘Black Earth City’ by Charlotte Hobson.

6. My Business Book Blog

Looking specifically for business book reviews? (We always do!) A team of keen readers, entrepreneurs, and a business book author make up the team of what this blog offers. You can expect a monthly top ten list of business books, an editor’s choice book recommendation, and lots of business book reviews.

7. Roseanna Sunley Business Book Reviews

Roseanna’s blog not only features business book reviews, but she also reviews personal development and biography books. In true analytical fashion, she breaks down the books she reads with a section for a synopsis, whom she recommends the book, the design and layout, and more inquiries that most carry in their mind while deciding on our next read.

The website is also immaculate and easy to follow — which we are a massive fan of!

8. Duffy The Writer Blog

Duffy is a freelance writer based in Sydney, and part of her lifestyle is reading one or two non-fiction books per week. (Which is pretty epic on its own.) You can expect weekly book reviews in the form of synopsis preceding her unbiased thoughts on the book. A great example is a write-up she wrote on ‘Alpha Girls’ by Julian Guthrie!

9. Kirkus

If you’re looking for daily book reviews on non-fiction titles, including memoirs and biographies, Kirkus has got you covered. The short write-ups provide great feedback from plot to writing style, such as the one for ‘More Than Enough’ by Elaine Welteroth, a memoir by the former editor-in-chief of Teen Vogue magazine.

10. Travelling Book Junkie 

On this beautiful travel blog, you can find thoroughly written non-fiction book reviews that cover the story’s plot along with a blurb on whether or not the book is recommendation worthy. A great review to check out is one on ‘The Lost City of Z’ by David Grann, an adventure novel telling the story of the famous explorer Percy Fawcett who disappeared in 1925.

11. Citizen Reader

You’ll find how easy time passes by when you delve into this blog featuring tons of non-fiction book reviews. Gladly, the writer behind these reviews enjoys reading non-fiction books overall, and you can tell by the passion behind their words. The review for the history book ‘The Woman Who Smashed Codes’ by Jason Fagone showcases their enthusiasm for books, and it’s oh so contagious!

12. Anu Reviews

On Anu’s blog that’s been running for ten years and counting, she aims not to rate or recommend books but to give her sincere reflections upon the many stories she reads. Just as exemplified in her review for ‘The $100 Startup’ by Chris Guillebeau, you can expect honest reviews which leave you the door open for you to decide the next book you read.

13. Reading for Sanity

The non-fiction book reviews you’ll find on this non-fiction book blogger’s website features the triple benefit of a summary, a personal review, and a rating. In which case, you won’t have to browse several websites if you’re looking for one or two of those statements. Alongside these three helpful writeups, you can also find recommended books that are similar to the one you’re reading over at the moment.

14. True Crime Reader

A long-time true crime reader and lover turned newspaper reporter runs this fantastic non-fiction book blog, featuring “true crime book reviews, news, and views.” If you’re on the hunt for stories on real-life serial killers, murders, cold cases — you name it, this blog is perfect for you to find book reviews of eerie stories which will leave you not being able to sleep at night or wanting more, depending on your taste of course. We have already pre-ordered a few books they reviewed.

15. The True Crime Files

Another true crime enthusiast since childhood runs this non-fiction book blog featuring book reviews and investigations of mysterious stories waiting to be explored. Grab a blanket, a hot drink, and maybe a flashlight to cozy up for chilling novels, such as ‘Anne Perry and the Murder of the Century’ by Peter Graham, a true story of the infamous Parker-Hulme murder case, in which two teenage girls commit matricide.

16. Doing Dewey

If you find that non-fiction books don’t get enough love than other genres, you share the same thoughts as Katie, who runs this beautiful non-fiction book blog! Other than finding thoughtful book reviews, you can also expect the latest non-fiction news and book recommendations during the weekly feature called ‘Nonfiction Friday!’

17. Nonfiction Monday

Are you looking for non-fiction books suitable for children and teens? This is the blog for you! Each Monday, a new book is featured with a synopsis called ‘booktalk’ along with a snippet of the story. Most of the books on this blog are filled with photos, so the snippets can be useful to showcase the wonderful graphics and photos that help the educational journey.

18. Other Women’s Stories

We added this brilliant woman to our list of Non-Fiction Book Bloggers because she works hard to provide weekly recaps and reviews of non-fiction books she reads, as well as a new list for the following week. You can expect short write-ups and a rating alongside the several books she reads per week, which gives plenty of options for your next novel!

Conclusion for Top 18 Non-Fiction Book Bloggers

Which non-fiction book are you currently reading? Is there a non-fiction book you tend to read over and over again? Let us know in the comments!

Also, if you have a non-fiction book blog and it was not listed, let us know! We would be happy to add it to the list.

Are you an author looking for Bookstagrams To Follow For Book Reviews? Then you need to follow these Bookstagrams. Whether your writing is focused on young adult fantasy, mystery, fiction, or any of the other wondrous genres of literature, rest assured that you’ll find the right Bookstagram account to follow who may love your book and write a review here.

Check out these top Bookstagrams To Follow For Book Reviews and inspiration!

1. @jordys.book.club

We added this ‘Bookstagrams To Follow For Book Reviews’ because of her amazing goal. At a reading goal of 150 books for the year 2019, Jordan’s book reading and review skills are inspiring for all of us who aspire to read all the books we buy. Whether or not you can reach that reading capacity, his Bookstagram is perfect for a daily dose of books ranging from any and all genres. Just looking at it motivates you into becoming an avid reader, for real.

2. @prose_and_palate

Books along with flowers, a warm beverage, a typewriter, and the occasional bunny or dog is all that you’ll find on Stacey’s Instagram account, and what more could you want? The main genres she reads are psychological thriller, southern fiction, and historical fiction, with the occasional interesting book she comes across.

3. @i.reads

The warm tones easily bring us into Warda’s Instagram world dedicated to books of all kinds, particularly young adult fiction and novels written by Muslim authors. On Goodreads, she now holds 14th place for the best all time reviews in the UK. Talk about dedication!

4. @khubaibliophile 

Another reader who focuses on books written by Muslim authors. He reviews novels of all kinds of genres, like non-fiction and politics. His Instagram account features beautiful darker shaded photos, and book covers with intricate designs and stories, such as ‘Mecca: The Sacred City’ by Ziauddin Sardar.

5. @aleema_s

Aleema’s rose-gold Instagram account not only inspires reading, it inspires consistent reading and analysis of the story you’re taking in. (which is why we added her to our list of Bookstagrams To Follow For Book Reviews) Her laptop, notebook with writings, glasses, and beverage are just some of the regular, if not daily, objects present in her photos. The photos featured on her account easily act as a motivator to revel in the fun of reading and writing.

6. @bookhoarderproblems

Welcome to the vibrant coloured world of Zyra’s Instagram account! From beautiful themed photos featuring young adult contemporary and romance novels, this account not only reminds us of the physical beauty of books, but the stories that live in them as well, and how they are a perfect and simple accessory to our lives.

7. @the.imperfect.library

As the ambassador for @canturburyclassics, Ally’s library and Instagram account feature women’s literature, mainly of the 18th and 19th centuries, like ‘Mansfield Park’ by Jane Austen. The vibrant, orange-hued photos inspires us to read books that support our passions and help us understand the world today.

8. @bagfullofbooks

Teapots, floral patterns, and light tints bring us back to a time of more simplicity, and sometimes, that’s the kind of joy we need to see on our Instagram feeds. Like her theme, this book blogger of Indian descent focuses on reading books of the past, mostly written by women, such as ‘Spring Magic’ by D.E. Stevenson.

9. @hanabookreview

Focusing on young adult, contemporary romance, and manga books, Hana’s curated Instagram shows the beauty of what if feels like being on the journey of book reading while growing into adulthood. Her review for ‘American Panda’ by Gloria Chao showcases a perfect story to explain just that.

10. @literaryjourney

Micol’s library features fictional and classical novels. She enjoys reading books by authors who have won book prizes or awards. If you enjoy mesmerizing yet beautifully written novels such as ‘The Friend’ by Sigrid Nunez, a National Book Award winner, you are sure to get great recommendations as you follow along Micol’s literary journey!

11. @artfulreader 

If you aren’t a fan of young adult novels, this Instagram account is here to recommend you books of all other genres, such as history, philosophy, fiction, and non-fiction. You can find beautiful reviews, like the one for ‘To the Letter: A Celebration of the Lost Art of Letter Writing’ by Simon Garfield, which both include snippets of the reader’s life, along with how it connects with the story they choose to read.

12. @catbookclub

What could make photos of books better than the usual accompaniments? Cats, of course. The photos featured on this Instagram account not only feature numerous fictional books, such as ‘Home Fire’ by Kamila Shamsie, but also shows cats alongside them. Who wouldn’t want to read beside a cat?

13. @catebutler

If you aren’t a fan of cats, an alternative book partner is food! Alongside the fiction and mystery books Cate features on her account, like ‘The Beekeeper’s Apprentice’ by Laurie R. King, you can usually find a different snack to accompany them, such as macarons, hot chocolate, and tea with lemon slices. Her flower bouquets also add a perfect amount of beauty to enhance a potential reader’s eye.

14. @dreambyday_bookreviews

Have you ever wanted to join or create a book club, but no one would take part? You can always follow in the footsteps of Samantha and create your own! Her account features photos of the different books she reads in the many locations she reads them in, such as the lakeside, at home, or a coffee shop. It goes to show how easy it is to incorporate reading into your daily life!

15. @bookplaits 

If you’re open to books of all kinds, from young adult and fantasy to romance and non-fiction, Steph’s Instagram account features books of all kinds to diversify your library. Her review for ‘I Capture the Castle’ by Dodie Smith is an excellent example of the kind of lengthy book analysis’ she creates, listing everything from a short summary of the plot to what she enjoyed most and what she didn’t enjoy about the story.

16. @booksonherbrain

As a self-proclaimed ‘eclectic reader,’ Lauren’s Instagram account takes you on a journey of her whereabouts featuring books of all kinds, like mystery and fiction, such as ‘Fingerprints of Previous Owners’ by Rebecca Entel. You can find short reviews and updates of her latest reads and to-reads on Instagram, as well as lengthier and honest reviews on her website linked in her bio.

17. @lilitslittlelibrary

Lilit’s minimal and clean Instagram account focuses on mostly fictional novels, short reviews, as well as the occasional quote to remind readers how motivational authors can be, no matter what the story. An example of a featured quote is by Leo Tolstoy — “In our world everybody thinks of changing humanity, and nobody thinks of changing himself.” That journey can begin with picking up a book from Lilit’s library!

18. @talesfortay

If you’re a fan of thrillers, mystery, true crime, and all-around books which introduce you into a whole other world, then you’ll be a fan of this Instagram account. Book reviews are not featured here, but Taylor regularly shares new books from her @goscribbler subscription boxes, so you’ll always have new books ready for you to take interest. Discussions are also frequent within her account; it’s a perfect environment for book lovers of the thriller, mystery, etc. genres!

19. @biblionatic

Warm tones accompanied with more dark and mysterious, yet detailed book covers are a staple in this Instagram account. Tiffany’s featured fantasy books go with this fall theme year round. You’ll be moved to grab a blanket, light a candle, and get lost in a book, such as ‘The Darkest Part of the Forest’ by Holly Black.

20. @averyandaugustine

Do you have any children? Do you enjoy picture books? No matter the answer, this Instagram account will bring you back to a time when reading was more simple, fun, and straightforward, than detailed, lengthy, and difficult. If you need a breather from imagining descriptions, this account gives out reading recommendations right up that alley!

21. @introverted.bookworm 

If you’re looking into classical reads and the history of Europe, this Instagram account brings you into a world of all those in one! Luana highlights quotes from the books she reads, such as ‘The Letters of Vincent van Gogh’ by the man himself.

22. @bookscalling

This Instagram account may not feature books in English, but they do features photos to motivate you to make time for reading. Whether you are waiting on the elevator, at the beach, on a rooftop, the man who runs this account reminds you that there’s always time for books.

23. @xcrini

Labelling herself as the ‘Queen of SciFi,’ following this Instagram account will guarantee you book recommendations of adventurous stories, such as ‘Snakeskins’ by Tim Major, a novel which includes the futuristic act of people cloning. The black and white based photos of this account emphasizes the incredible stories behind the book covers waiting for you to read.

24. @whatmeganreads

New books. New locations. Real life. This Instagram account not only speaks of the journey of book reading, it brings its followers along! From reading fictional books at the local library, a comfy chair in the corner of a room, or even waiting for a baseball game to start, the photos remind us that reading can easily take part in your day-to-day life if you make the time.

25. @fantasybooksrus

If you’re into young adult fantasy novels, this account is perfect for you. Not only do Neneh’s book photos feature themed pins and funkos, but her reviews are also out of this world. The Goodreads review on ‘Reign the Earth’ by A.C. Gaughen is an excellent example of this; she gives a short summary, states how wonderfully written the characters were, and gives a final recommendation of who would love to read the book; hopefully you!

Up and Coming Bookstagrams To Follow For Book Reviews

1. @mydelightfulbooks

With a focus on young adult fiction and fantasy, this Instagram account is a hub for books filled with epic adventures featuring dragons, space, and other magical creatures and places. You’ll be sure to find book recommendations such as ‘Aurora Rising’ by Amie Kaufman, a novel with “space elves and sneaky people and sass and older sisters and more elves in space”– how exciting!

2. @rebeccas.reading.rambles 

If you just can’t get into young adult novels, Rebecca’s Instagram account is here to recommend you books of fiction and mystery genres. From just reading the book reviews, such as the one for ‘The Pawful Truth’ by Miranda James, you are easily drawn into the cozy mysterious story featuring a librarian/grandfather/amateur sleuth, two murders, and a cat companion named Diesel!

3. @steepedinwords 

If you are looking to expand your literary tastes, following Viven’s Instagram account is the perfect companion for you. Starting a bookstagram has helped her to branch out into other genres, such as fantasy and young adult novels. The review for ‘Circe’ by Madeline Miller is the perfect example of how a fictional book can surprisingly rekindle an old love of yours; for her, it was mythology!

4. @restlessreading 

Short and straightforward reviews of young adult fantasy novels are found on Emily’s Instagram account. This pirate lover is here to recommend you books that draw you into another world, such as ‘Clockwork Princess’ by Cassandra Clare. Her positive review states, “In my opinion, the best books are the ones that make you want to throw them against the wall!” And who wouldn’t want to get book recommendations as good as that one?

5. @laceyslibrary 

Speaking of up and coming, Lacey’s Instagram account will guarantee book recommendations for up and coming authors. She is the perfect addition to our Bookstagrams To Follow For Book Reviews. You will be sure to find romance and contemporary novels featured, such as ‘The Unhoneymooners’ by Christina Lauren; an already captivating title with even more captivating love connection in its plot!